Pat Riley was incredibly quick, through a Heat spokesman, to shoot down speculation about anything pending, or even brewing, with free-agent point guard Jamaal Tinsley.

Why? Foremost, because this is the second week of August and Riley long has viewed August as somewhat of a dead month on the NBA personnel scene — too late for major free-agent signings, a bit early to be filling out camp rosters. Basically, it's when you trade a Mark Blount for a Quentin Richardson.

There could, however, be another factor in play.

As previously mentioned, the Heat has a considerable investment in place with second-round pick Pat Beverley. Not only did the Heat pay the Lakers $1.5 million for the right to move up to select the former Arkansas point guard, but also dealt a future second-round pick in the transaction. Such moves generally come with a commitment from Riley to owner Micky Arison to make good on such investments.

Trouble is, the Heat already has starter Mario Chalmers and reserve Chris Quinn under contract at point guard. Beverley would make three at the position. Tinsley or Allen Iverson or anyone else would make four.

It makes it even more difficult if Riley follows through on his luxury-tax consideration of carrying only 14 or 13 players. And that doesn't even get into Riley's expectation of having Dwyane Wade play considerable minutes running the offense.

The sense here is any Heat move at point guard might have to be preceded by some sort of move with Quinn. No, $1.1 million in 2009-10 salary for Quinn hardly is a lot, but it would actually count more against the tax and cap than if the Heat were to add Tinsley or Iverson at the minimum. Plus, with the Heat into the dollar-for-dollar tax, it puts Quinn's cost to the team at $2.1 million total.

Just as the Hornets this week dumped salary with the trade of Rasual Butler to the Clippers for a future conditional second-round draft pick, so, too, could the Heat be looking to unload Quinn.

Then, addressing Tinsley, Iverson or any other point guard would make far greater sense in terms of roster composition, as well as the luxury tax.

Comments (136 Comments)

I must admit, I am really confused about this trade…The one thing that has been talked about this summer is the clutter that we have at SF. We then turnaround and do this ?
Could we have not dumped Blount for a backup PG which is a more pressing need ??
Really, really dont get this one

“Really, really dont get this one”
1. What expiring contract is easier to move by the deadline, Mark Blount at $8mm or Quentin Richardson at $9mm?
2. In the playoffs last year, which player would you rather have at the small forward position, a) Jones b) Diawara c) Wright d) Richardson?
3) What other player/asset could you possibly get for Mark Blount?

I understand the trade, what I don’t understand is what you do with Jones now. He is “enemy of the state” numero uno right now. Q-Rich does the same thing Jones does, sit and chuck, but Q Rich also will go in and rebound and slash to the hoop once in a blue moon. Jones has 2mil or so coming to him every yr for the next 3 years, dump his arse with a 2nd rd pick to whoever will take him….PLEASE.

Seriously, I can’t believe there is such a Blount following here. Why are fans questioning this move? It’s brilliant. Blount was dead weight on this roster. He added nothing. It’s the reason the Wolves are already negotiating a buyout with him. Yes, we have a number of perimeter players in Wright, Jones, Diawara and Cook, but how many of those guys can create their own offense? Get their own shot? Riley pulled off another heist, and again people are disappointed.

Hardly a heist. Qrich was an unwanted guy who comes with lux tax implications. What I’m wondering is if we can move Jones back to Por, Roy said how much he wanted Jones to stay and how he would be missed soooooo…..
Maybe a Blake for Jones swap, it would make a lot of sense. Blake has only one yr and with Miller signed for 3 yrs, it gives Bayless time to develop and only have to play spot mins until Miller hands the keys over.

Patience gentlemen, Riley is working his majic. Before the end of the trade deadline, Bosh, will be in Miami. As far as a PG, I was thinking about CP3, but as much as I would love that it’s not going to happen. Any idea on who will be available and who will be a good fit for the heat at PG. I like Chalmers, but I’m not sure about him at a starter.

Alot of you are happy to see a quality starting SF (average verison, he’s a baller when motivated and healthy,aka: when not in new york with the knicks)
but in reality (well; in spo’s world) i think Q-Rich was picked up to be our 6th man and replace Beasleys instant offense off the bench, and that Beasley will be the starting SF next to Haslem at PF with QRich backing up both of them and getting every single one of their backup minutes (when he comes in for haslem bease slides to 4, and when he comes in for bease haslem stays at 4)
itll be nice to see a lineup of wade-cookorchalmers-qrich-beasley-oneal though, that lineup can really REALLY ball

Wade with this much help is a NIGHTMARE for opponents, he had a 30.4 PER and a 50%fg on 30ppg and 7.5apg with 4 guys out there on the court with him that couldnt create their own shot, imagine what he can do against a defense that has to be honest with a 2nd 20ppg scorer next to him and then a baller like qrich that can fill it up, plus chalmers is a pg that can shoot and make plays and jermaine int helowpost?!?1?
Wade will DOMINATE
this team should be really really good this year, i heard QRich is in great shape and so is jermaine, and Beasley is gonna make a serious jump like all stars do from year 1 to year 2
this is alot different team than last year, we have real BALLERS that KNOW HOW TO PLAY BASKETBALL OFFENSIVELY and are TALENTED now, that can score and pass and shoot
Wade could dominate this year bigtime efficiency and saving energy for 4th quarters, not to mention more energy for d and rebounding
its gonna be GREAT, imagine the spacing with Jermaine in the post and then Beasley at PF(40%3pt and mad perimeter skills at 6′9″ and true PF size) and QRich at SF and then Wade and Cook in the backcourt?!?!?!?

“Hardly a heist”
Any trade that brings back a productive player with an expiring contract for an unproductive player with an expiring contract is considered a heist. I don’t understand why Minnesota made that trade. Maybe they feel bad about the Ricky Davis deal? Since that trade, they’ve given us Mario Chalmers and Q-Rich.

I don’t understand how Josh could say that Q-Rich for Blount “adds nothing to the team”.
Posted by: eddieomaha | August 14, 2009 at 07:59 AM
Because like all reasonable heat fans he’s scared its another ricky davis acquisition
And if Q-Rich is the same player here that he’s been the past 4 years in New York it really doesnt add nothing to the team
But if Q-Rich is in great shape and is ready to ball like he did in 04-05 (he’s still very young) or even how he did in 03-04, ready to rebound and guard other teams prime scorers and add another scorer to the court for us and sharpshooter that can also pass some, its a very good pickup
he could be good for 6th man for us
i somehow think it might be a prelude to another year of Beasley off the bench though, with Chalmers-Wade-Richardson-Haslem-Oneal starting (which is still alot better than last year if Chalmers makes a jump (which he will) and Oneal is healthy and back near his old allstar form inside and QRich is in shape)

quentin is a 39% Fg shooter and 36% on 3s.. This trade was pointless..Lets hope riley trade him maybe for G. Wallace since Bobcats R shedding salary just like what they did to Emeka, their franchise player for a offesnive limited injury pprone player….Or we can send quentin and haslem for boozer

If it were not for the damn ricky davis trade, we would not worry about the pG sicne we could have drafted Ty Lawson..a steal in the draft by the nuggets.. he is the reincanation of andre miller, who the philly skipped him for overrated Jrue Holiday

if we pickup a backup PG that can score like Flip Murray to be our 6th man and run that unit i think Spo will allow us to play our best starting unit possible (assuming QRich is in shape and ready to ball, not like he was in NY, and assuming that Jermaine is healthy)
Jermaine
Beasley
QRich
Wade
Chalmers
thats alot of spacing and scoring to help Wade, he’ll be phenomenal with offensive power like that alongside him, and they fit too with their shooting and rebounding and you KNOW FOR A FACT that Spo will have them playing defense
i like that lineup
get a 2nd unit of Flip-Cook-Wright-Haslem-Magloire and im cool with that team definitely, even if it isnt flip murray it could be bobby jackson or tinsley or whatever and im good with that
Wade can run with that, those are real ballers that can put the ball in the hole and know how to play offensively and have talent

Well QRich USED TO play good defense and shoot the 3 beautifully as well as having some postup game, being able to create off the dribble some to score, get to the line or set up a teammate, and be a very good rebounder
But in New York he sucked, bigtime and was fat and out of shape

“Hardly a heist”
Any trade that brings back a productive player with an expiring contract for an unproductive player with an expiring contract is considered a heist. I don’t understand why Minnesota made that trade. Maybe they feel bad about the Ricky Davis deal? Since that trade, they’ve given us Mario Chalmers and Q-Rich.
Posted by: eddieomaha | August 14, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Minnie is saving money and going the youth route for now

The only way I like this trade is if…
1) Beasley is the unquestioned starter at PF. You spent the #2 pick on the draft on him. Wade’s not getting any younger.. you need to find out if he can play or not.
2) It means more time with Wade at PG. Richardson isn’t great, but he does strengthen the swingman rotation. However, giving minutes at the cost of giving minutes to Cook, who IMO has shown his ceiling his much higher than Richardson’s, because you might when a game or two is counter productive to the entire “goal” (2010 and long term contender). When Chalmers goes to the bench move Wade to PG and have Cook and Richardson/Jones at the 2 and 3. Cook can chase around the other teams PG on defense.
Spo has shown he’d rather play veterans over the young guys so I’m not too happy with the fact a guy was brought in who could take minutes from Cook.

Plus if we’re at like 28-18 (record) the first half of the season and coming up on the deadline and say the washington wizards or raptors crapped the bed ……..
we trade haslems expiring plus wrights expiring for Caron Butlers 3year contract…… who’s having an allstar year on a bad team again…….
that 28-18 team all of a sudden makes a jump to instant contender with a lineup of
oneal
beasley
butler
wade
chalmers
6th man: qrich
bench: magloire and flip murray and cook
all a sudden we’re really really ballin, THIS YEAR

This is a worrisome trend. Are we going to keep bringing in guys HOPING that they “resurrect” their careers with the Heat (JO, Q-Rich, Magloire, maybe Tinsley), then filling the rest of the roster with a bunch of one-dimensional scrubs (everyone not named Wade/Beasley).
We should trade for Yao Ming HOPING that Tim Grover heals him too. BTW why isn’t Alonzo Mourning training with Grover this summer? We need him healthy by next season so we can offer him a max contract.
What a phucking joke the last year has been.
Posted by: YML (2010 is a Mirage) | August 14, 2009 at 02:42 AM
Last THREE years, not one

“Josh, do you dislike the trade because you feel like we could have gotten more for Blount’s expiring money? I don’t particularly care for Richardson but we were thin at SF and Blount was going to ride pine anyway.”
We definitely could have gotten more for Blount’s expiring, but Q-Rich is an expiring, too. So no, that’s not my issue. We could potentailly use Q-Rich’s expiring the same way we could have used Blount’s.
My issue is that we made a completely worthless, lateral move of a trade and burnt $3 million of Arison’s money in the process, when he’s been extremely tight with allowing over-the-tax spending. To me, this seems more like a calm-down-the-antsy-fans trade than a precursor to more. If I’m wrong about that, then I have no problem with the deal. Blount was worthless except for his expiring, which we got back in Q-Rich anyway. But if this was the move that’s supposed to pre-occupy those that think we’ve done nothing until preseason, then I’m incredibly unhappy with the direction of this franchise.
Posted by: josh | August 14, 2009 at 01:13 AM
Agreed

Let’s pretend 2010 isn’t the Heat’s primary focus and they want to get better through trades at the deadline.
They just picked up an extra $3 million in an expiring contract to move. Instead of moving Haslem and Blount for $16 million in return, they can move Haslem and Q-Rich for a $19 million in return.
Anyone think it’s a possibility?
I think it’s more likely Riley saw him as a possible solution at SF without compromising 2010. So much for Beasley starting there.

Anyone think that the starting lineup might actually be
Oneal-Haslem-Richardson-WAde-Chalmers now with Beasley as sixth man again?
Shoot me now if thats the case but at least its alot better lineup than last year if Chalmers improves and QRich is in shape and Oneal is healthy
hard not to be better than joel-marion-haslem-wade-rookiechalmers though
or injuredjermaine-haslem-moon-wade-rookiechalmers
yikes. Beasley is by far the 2nd best player on this team and Spo might start the 6th or 7th best player and the 4th best player over him……..

I remember QRich was good with the suns in 2005, he could really fill it up and alot of the time guarded the other teams best scorer, him and marions rebounding was huge for them with amare at center too

Really? Is that why you guys don’t like the trade… because you think Beasley is going back to the bench? Come on, give the coaching staff a little more credit than that. Last year was completely different. We were coming off an expansion-teamesque record with a top 3 player in the league. Wins were more important than development last year. We needed to get the franchise back to respectability. Beasley will start this season, even if it’s at point guard.

“Anyone think that the starting lineup might actually be
Oneal-Haslem-Richardson-WAde-Chalmers now with Beasley as sixth man again?”
That’s what I’m saying. I can’t see the point in Q-Rich taking minutes from Beasley or Cook.

JB if the plan is to have Beasley at the PF and Q-Rich at SF, then I think the Heat has just made an improvement without hurting the cap space for next year. Beasley at SF was not going to work anyways, but if Spo doesn’t start him ahead of Haslem then this trade is for nothing.

Eddie, all the talk this offseason has been about starting Beasley at the SF position and getting him minutes there.
They just traded for a SF. Last year Jones, Diawra, Cook, and even Wright all played more minutes than Beasley at SF.
Beasley’s not starting at PF if the Heat are half as in love with Haslem as Ira.

“Anyone think that the starting lineup might actually be
Oneal-Haslem-Richardson-WAde-Chalmers now with Beasley as sixth man again?”
That’s what I’m saying. I can’t see the point in Q-Rich taking minutes from Beasley or Cook.
Posted by: JB | August 14, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Oh i dont care about Cook. Cook is a shooter, he’s gonna do what he does regardless, and he’ll play off the bench because thats what he is and thats what he does
but if QRich starts at SF and Spo still starts HAslem over Beasley its ridiculous
hopefully Spo isnt THAT stpid, and Riley cant be that stupid to let that happen again (can he?)
But it isnt QRich, im actually happy about that because i think if he’s in good shape he gives us a good 4th offensive option that can shoot from outside and rebound and defend well while scoring a good 13 or so ppg
its haslem im still mad at because he wont accept a role off the bench for some reason and we need beasley to be our 2nd 20ppg scorer if we really want a chance at making a serious jump (and he needs to be at PF where he is special with his versatile game and spacin provided)
dig it?
But QRich is a good upgrade at starting SF over Jones(the glued-to-the-floor bandit) or Dorrell, most definitely Diawara as well
none of them can create their own shot even if they had Yi’s chair guarding them, QRich at least can be a good 4th scoring option in the lineup and provide good spacing…. if he’s in shape he can play basketball flatout, he’s a baller, which we havent had much of the last few years

If Beasley doesn’t start at PF, then we’re giving away the season. With Beasley in the lineup the Heat go deeper in the playoff and develop Beasley at the same time, it definitely would give other teams a run for their money.

Billy, Cook is 22 years old and the Heat have him as cheap labor. He has shown he is an athlete and capable defender. Limiting him to being a chucker isn’t in the Heat’s best interest. He’s already a better shooter than Q Rich and James Jones and, IMO, already a better defender. Those guys aren’t going to get any better whereas Cook CAN improve his handle, 1-on-1 scoring, defense, rebounding, etc.
The only problem is he is a 6′5″ SG behind Wade.

This is Pat Riley here. He’s been in the league for decades. There is no way Haslem starts over Beasley this year, regardless of position, regardless of Spo, regardless of anything. It won’t happen.
Posted by: eddieomaha | August 14, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Actually, this would make perfect sense in line with his development.
“Michael is a four. He has always been a four. He is going to play all his minutes at the four this season. He is not a three. What good is it if he scores 30 points and gives up just as many. Udonis can give up 30 while only scoring 10.”

I have to say I hated Q-Rich’s game on the Knicks. He has this thing where he takes horrible shots. He just steps back from the 3 point line and launches a jumper with a hand in his face and plenty of time on the shotclock ala J-Will. He’s been doing it since he’s joined. He’s also a locker room politician and tries to get more minutes than he deserves. I wouldn’t have liked this trade personally even though Blount offered nothing. Q-Rich could be subtraction by addition.

This is ONLY a great trade and a “heist” IF Wade can keep Qrich in line. I don’t think Qrich is gonna start so you guys swallow Beasley at SF. Spo can not turn his back on his B/F Haslem. Haslem and Beasley will be the starting tandem and Qrich will be the 6th man.
Riley already said Beasley will play at both positions.
This leaves Jones, Diawara, Wright, and Cook in limbo because Qrich is ANOTHER standstill shooter who happens to make as much as them combined.

That’s what I’m saying. I can’t see the point in Q-Rich taking minutes from Beasley or Cook.
Posted by: JB | August 14, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Q was one heckuva locker room politician on the Knicks. During the time he spent on the team, everytime he went down with an injury and after he got traded Wilson Chandler went on fire. He was the greatest removal by Walsh last season.

Q was one heckuva locker room politician on the Knicks. During the time he spent on the team, everytime he went down with an injury and after he got traded Wilson Chandler went on fire. He was the greatest removal by Walsh last season.
Posted by: captain charisma | August 14, 2009 at 10:51 AM
That’s alright… Haslem is a team player and will keep him in line!!

That’s alright… Haslem is a team player and will keep him in line!!
Posted by: JB | August 14, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Haslem to Q-Rich: Ok Q, If I may I’d like to offer you some constructive criticism on your game. You shouldn’t be pulling back and takin—
Q-Rich: Hey STFU you foo’ you can’t even hit a shot outside 6 feet. You’re one of the worst players I’ve ever seen in my life, how the f-ck did this team win with you on the team?!?!?
Haslem: … Allright fine you got me there.
Q-Rich: damn right, remember your place you lousy stinkin’ poor excuse of a basketball player! Do I make myself clear?!?!?
Haslem: … *quietly* yes sir…
Q-Rich: I DIDNT HEAR YOU!
Haslem: YES SIR I’LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!
Q-Rich: Damn straight bitch!

Anybody whose upset about this trade is senseless. Blount is a waste of space. Q lights us up everytime he plays us. He’ll give DWade that break from scoring he needs. They’ve been playing together all summer, so Wade must want him. This is such a no-brainer – I am beyond THRILLED! I can see our lineup for stretches being
DWADE
Q
BEAS
HASLEM
JO
This is not a lineup to mess with!
GO HEAT! RILEY IS A GENIUS!

“Any trade that brings back a productive player with an expiring contract for an unproductive player with an expiring contract is considered a heist. I don’t understand why Minnesota made that trade.”
Because Blount makes $1.5 million less this year than Q-Rich, and Minnesota doesn’t think Q-Rich is worth $1.5 million.
That’s the player you guys are getting excited about.

For those interested in the financial implications of Bosh signing a free agent contract with Toronto vs. Miami, I posted this last night…
Bosh Contract with Toronto:
Bosh would sign a 6-year/$125.5 million deal.
The Federal Tax Rate (on all income above $126,264) is 29%.
The Ontario Provincial Tax Rate is 11.16% (on all income above $73,698).
The provincial surtax to subsidize healthcare is up to 56% of taxes paid.
The total implied tax rate is over 46%.
So… 6 year/$125.5 million contract would become $67.4 million after taxes.
Bosh Contract with Miami:
Bosh would sign a 5-year/$96.1 million deal.
The highest Federal Tax bracket is 35%.
Florida has no state income taxes.
So… a 5 year/$96.1 million contract would become $62.5 million after taxes.
In Summary:
Bosh could sign a contract 1 year longer in length with Toronto, but it would only net him a total of $4.9 million more after taxes.

I don’t feel this was a lateral move either. I think the trade improved the team. Quentin Richardson is better than James Jones. He’s better than any other option we have at small forward. The fact that he’s a bigger expiring and a better contributor to the roster makes the move a no-brainer.

The best thing Q-Rich could do for this team is provide so much depth at SF that we decide we can’t reasonably play Beasley there, thus forcing him to PF and moving Haslem to the bench.
We’ll see whether or not that’s how this plays out. Because right now, if Beasley starts the season at SF, that leaves Q-Rich, James Jones, Dorell Wright, and Yakhouba Diawara all fighting for rotation minutes. And if Q-Rich is the guy that wins them out, that means the James Jones signing was a failure, Dorell Wright is done in Miami, and Yakhouba Diawara was a waste of money, as well.
So basically, either this trade was a failure, or every move we’ve made at SF in the past 3 years has been a complete failure. Or both.

We have just added a rotation player in exchange for Mark Blount and dipped further into the luxury tax, which shows that Pat Riley and Mickey Arison are doing everything in their power to give Wade a chance.
I think we will try to unload James Jones’s contract for multiple reasons – 1) This trade pushes him further back on the depth chart 2) He gets us under the luxury tax threshold even if we sign Tinsley on a minimum deal
I honestly do not care if we trade DaeQuan now that we have Q – we have a lot more trade flexibility now.
This is a GREAT move.

riley once took an aged and decrepit christian laettner and got one season of efficiency out of him.
Maybe he can do the same with richardsen.
Its not a huge deal, but it does rid the useless Blount, for a potential.
Blount had no potential at all.

We have just added a rotation player in exchange for Mark Blount and dipped further into the luxury tax, which shows that Pat Riley and Mickey Arison are doing everything in their power to give Wade a chance.
======================
“everything”? i wont go that far, but it is a start.
Its hitting a bunt single, to put a runner on, in hopes to get a home run later (bosh?) in the inning.

“Because right now, if Beasley starts the season at SF, that leaves Q-Rich, James Jones, Dorell Wright, and Yakhouba Diawara all fighting for rotation minutes. And if Q-Rich is the guy that wins them out, that means the James Jones signing was a failure, Dorell Wright is done in Miami, and Yakhouba Diawara was a waste of money, as well.”
Diawara was an insurance policy at 700k, Wright has been done in Miami, and Jones isn’t a waste of money coming off the bench. Also, Richardson can play the off-guard as well. He’s basically taking what would have been Moon and Head’s spots in the rotation. The only player truly affected by this deal is Diawara, and at the money he’s being paid, I’m willing to live with it. Wright has/and should be an afterthought. Let him show something first, before we start restricting our acquisitions.

I would trade Quinn for a washing machine as long as it has that new “steam” cycle.
====================
and I would trade Marc Blount for the big indian in “cookoos nest”. at least that way, we still have a 5th big man, who is just as useful as Blount.,

IRA WINDERMAN is embarking on his 24th season covering the Miami Heat for the Sun-Sentinel, witnessing more than 1,900 of the team's games (thus the bags under the eyes and hair loss not truly depicted by the accompanying photo). With the help of antacids (during the lean years) and a sense of humor (during the Riley dictatorship), he has been able to remain a courtside fixture at AmericanAirlines Arena, a veteran 12 years older than coach Erik Spoelstra. Only former trainer Ron Culp had attended more Heat games, but, then again, Winderman has yet to tape his first ankle.